New HospiceCare site announced

It’s an empty dirt lot now, but possibly as early as the end of next year, a site on West Bay Road will be part of the new home of Cayman HospiceCare.

Dart, which has donated the land to HospiceCare, last week unveiled a sign announcing the location of the new hospice, at a site next door to Coconut Joe’s bar and restaurant.

Construction of the building is expected to begin next year, once planning permission is secured, said HospiceCare chairman Chris Duggan.

“This is an incredible site that will provide the ideal surroundings for our new inpatient facility and I would again like to thank the Dart Group, on behalf of Cayman HospiceCare, for donating this land to us,” Mr. Duggan said.

The new building, which is expected to be a four-bed facility, will allow HospiceCare to provide inpatient care to clients.

The donation from Dart also means that the charity will save some $72,000 in annual rent.

Cayman HospiceCare is currently located at the Conch Shell House on North Sound Road.

Architect John Doak is contributing his expertise to HospiceCare for the design of the new building.

Mr. Duggan said HospiceCare is working on the design plans with Mr. Doak, hoping to finalize them in the first quarter of 2016, at which point they will apply for planning permission.

“We will then commence construction once all planning permission is in place,” Mr. Duggan said, adding that he hoped the new hospice would be operational by the end of next year.

“[We] recognize this is a somewhat optimistic target,” he added. “We will certainly aim for that milestone though and, if not, by the end of [the first quarter] of 2017, we will definitely be in.”

The site is expected to include an administration building and an inpatient unit, each measuring 3,000 square feet, as well as outdoor areas, gardens and covered walkways.

As well the land donation from Dart, there has also been a huge public response to the creation of the new hospice, much of it channeled through marathon runner and Dart’s senior security manager Derek Haines. Mr. Haines handed over $1.35 million to HospiceCare earlier this year – money raised in donations and pledges for six marathons he ran in 2014. That money will go toward the construction costs.

“Dart’s generosity and ongoing support of HospiceCare in our community is greatly appreciated and we look forward to working with them, and the wider community, as we commence the construction of our new facility in the New Year,” Mr. Duggan added.

Cayman HospiceCare’s new facility will be based on this site on West Bay Road. – PHOTO: NORMA CONNOLLY

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